I can't close a deal today because....because....I don't have a reference
Today I have a meeting with a local business owner in my area. He seems to be interested in my SEO service. He asks me a lot of questions about my service and how it can help his business. Finally, he wants to see the contract that he has to sign. My heart is pounding. I guess I can close this deal for sure and leave his office with a big check in my hands
After reading a contract for 15 minutes. He turns back to me and smiles. What he said is " Before I sign a contract, can you provide me a reference? I want to talk to them about your service and how you get their websites to be on the 1st page of Google."
Holy Crap ! I want to tell him I don't have any reference because he is my first client But I can't. So I just tell him that I will give him the reference he needs once I get back to my office.
To make long story short, I leave his office today with empty hands (no check in my hands LOL )
My question is: How are you guys dealing with reference if you are just starting out the offline marketing business? I'm pretty sure my next prospect will ask for a reference again.
Thanks for your advice.
Joe
P.S. Can I borrow your clients as a reference of mine ?
Just here to see the shenanigans.
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